#SuzyMFW: Alberta Ferretti - Venetian Dreams

Alberta Ferretti paid homage to her native Italy and the beauty, richness, timeless buildings and carnival stripes of Venice - and to the cultural diversity of the world. Somali-American model Halima Aden, in her first fashion show in Europe, wore the hijab as an unexpected accessory for the show.

Alberta Ferretti Autumn/Winter 2017

Indigital

ADVERTISEMENT

Both elements went off gracefully and beautifully, proving that a step forward in the fashion world can be made without a rowdy statement. Aden looked as ease in one of the knitted sweaters with days of the week worked across the chest that have been a phenomenal success for Ferretti with 8,000 see-now, buy-now sales in the last month. The model also looked at ease in one of the silken dresses with printed scenes of Venice in chiffon fluttering across the body.

Although a line-up finale of the knitwear was one of those increasingly evident Instagram moments at a fashion show, the glories of Venice offered the more delirious and delicate beauty.

The designer said that the images of the water wonderland that is Venice and Giovanni Boldini's portraits of women were not just about a lingering, fragile beauty, but also a statement about Italy's artisanal craftsmanship and creativity.

ADVERTISEMENT

Alberta Ferretti Autumn/Winter 2017

Indigital

"I began reflecting on what is happening in the world and realised that we often forget how beautiful our country is and that we should be proud to be Italians," said Ferretti. "I wanted to promote the beauty of Italy through images of Venice and its extraordinary opulence and mysterious moods."

Alberta Ferretti Autumn/Winter 2017

Indigital

ADVERTISEMENT

The show started with a vision of Venice washing like waves over a semi-transparent silken dress. But under the lagoon blue with a misty view of classic buildings was a pattern of stripes at the neck.

Alberta Ferretti Autumn/Winter 2017

Indigital

That was an introduction to Carnival! The annual event that is embedded in the watery city's culture, appeared as zig-zag black and white prints that alternated with the Venice symbols to give a harder and more modern edge, especially when teamed with black trousers or jacket.

Alberta Ferretti Autumn/Winter 2017

Indigital

This dialogue between the ephemeral vision and the solidity of the tailoring worked well, with the Venice dresses infinitely more subtle than the more familiar tourist's postcard references. Yet, Ferretti seemed determined to underscore the opulence of the city.

Alberta Ferretti Autumn/Winter 2017

Indigital

First came the Lion of Saint Mark as a Venetian symbol on a plain black sweater. But that grew into a more elaborate decoration as the show progressed, ending with the winged lions facing each other across the chest on a lush red cape.

Alberta Ferretti Autumn/Winter 2017

Indigital

Ferretti, with her experience of dressing with delicacy contenders for the current awards season, produced other, more conventional evening outfits from violet chiffon dresses to a strapless gown made of feathers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Alberta Ferretti Autumn/Winter 2017

Indigital

But the Venetian theme was the story. As was the hijab, which would, indeed, be a mighty statement on the red carpet.